Inmates should also have right to vote

As
the public consultation of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) gains
momentum in Lower Nuimi District of the North Bank Region, Kebba Jagne, a
native of Madina Serign Mass has suggested that there should be a provision in
the new constitution that will allow prison inmates the right to vote in
elections.

“Inmates
should be also be given the opportunity to vote in Gambian elections despite
the crimes that they might have committed. Their crimes should not deter them
from participating in the elections of the country,” he said

Mr.
Jagne said that the minister of Justice should not be appointed based on
partisan ties, adding that they want the new constitution to establish the
Teachers’ Service Commission.

Local
dwellers and CRC members discussed citizenship, the electoral system in The
Gambia, IEC, local government, Office of the President, the judiciary system in
the country, death penalty and Gambians in Diaspora among others.

Alhagie
EssaJoof, a native of Kerr Wally Joof village said there should be a Teachers’
Service Commission that will be responsible to look into the issues affecting
teachers in the country. Joof opined that every person that is born in The
Gambia should be regarded as a Gambian citizen, adding that the death penalty
in the constitution should be revoked.

Mbaye
Awa Kah- Mufti, the Imam of Medina Sering Mass spoke at length on the
significance of the forum, saying that the country should have a democratic
government with a two-term limit.

“We
want a democratic society where our rights as citizens are fully respected by
those in authority. The fundamental human rights in the constitution should be
entrenched.”

According
to him, the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) should be an
independent office, adding that the Office of the Attorney General and that of
the minister of Justice should be separated.

Ebrima
Chongan, a teacher of Medina Sering Mass School said the president should not
have the power to appoint or dismiss the Chief Justice of the country and
chairman of IEC. “There should be an independent body that should be
responsible for the appointment of the chief justice and the chairman of the
Independent Electoral Commission,” he suggested.

“The
president should disclose personal gifts to the public through the National
Assembly and deputy ministers should be re-introduced in The Gambia.”

He
said the country should also introduce the paper system during elections,
saying that Diaspora community should be eligible to vote,taking into account
their immense contribution towards national development.

Jarra
Leigh, a student of Medina Sering Mass School said the new constitution should
provide free education at all levels including the university.

“There
are many students who have completed secondary school education with good
grades and have been admitted at the University of The Gambia but are facing
with the major challenge of paying their tuition fees,” she said.